Mid-century motel nostalgia with quirky design in hip north Miami
Vagabond Motel / Miami / FL / USA
I don’t know what it is with motels… I guess maybe it is some kind of nostalgia thing connected to all those old movies I have seen over the years. A dream about endless road trips across the US, wind in my face and soft country playing on the radio.
I guess more people than me share this dream. In recent years staying at motels have become trendy again (thanks to all those wonderful hipsters always on to the next cool thing) which has led to that many old, run-down places have been given some love. The Vagabond Hotel in Miami is one of these places.
The Vagabond Motel first opened in 1953 and according to legend this was a popular hang out for the rat pack, the hipsters of their time. For many years this was a derelict, vacant building until some clever entrepreneurs saw the potential, both in the building and the area and decided to bring it back to its past glory. It opened after a total refurbishment in 2014.
Today the Vagabond is a retro fantasy, firmly planted in mid-century design with a style that is almost bordering kitsch. In total there are 42 rooms and most of them open up onto the exotic, palm tree-laden courtyard. A green, lush frame to the pool which is the central point of the hotel where lounging in the pool bar was the best way to spend the afternoon.
The Vagabond is located in the Biscayne corridor which is becoming a new hotspot in Miami, thanks to great restaurants and shops located here. This great location makes reaching all different parts of this spread out metropolis a breeze - if you have a car.
M heading for the pool for a first dip after a long flight.
Pool, palm trees, sun… What is not to love?
Quirky, almost kitschy mid-century design that fits so well in this setting.
The pool bar in the setting afternoon sun. M is swimming towards the bar to get something cool to drink.
Spectacular Wynwood with its art work. Like an open air art museum.
One of the many fab murals of Wynwood.
RG inside info
This place is perfect if you…
…are coming to the Miami area and you don’t want to stay with all the other tourists in the middle of the party in Miami Beach or Downtown. And if you like me love motels and mid-century nostalgia, this is your place.
My favorite thing about this place…
…is the pool. Placed in the courtyard with the building surrounding it, just like it should look at motels. The palm trees makes it look even better.
What not to miss when staying here is…
…Wynwood. This is an area that has become famous due to the Wynwood Walls. Huge murals made by local artists making this a very colorful, arty area. There are plenty of restaurants to fill up on energy between mural spotting and also some really good shopping.
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